Plant-based foods go mainstream

In California, the Plant Based Foods Association, a trade association representing 114 of the nation’s leading plant-based food companies, released new data showing robust sales in the plant-based foods industry with dollar sales growth of 20 percent over the last year and sales topping $3.3 billion.

“The plant-based foods industry has gone from being a relatively niche market to fully mainstream,” said Michele Simon, executive director of the Plant Based Foods Association. “Plant-based meat and dairy alternatives are not just for vegetarians or vegans anymore; now even mainstream consumers are enjoying these delicious and innovative options in the market today,” she added.

This is the second year the PBFA released Nielsen retail sales data. Last year, plant-based foods grew 8 percent. With an increased growth rate of 20 percent, it’s clear that the plant-based foods industry is a food industry leader that consumers, food service, and retailers are taking seriously.